- According to the Shela (Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz, 1565 - 1630), the main objective in eating these foods is that the person should be inspired when reciting these prayers.
- Although eating these foods have significance, certainly doing Teshuva and increasing in mitzvot is more important.
- If one does not like any of these foods, he may recite these prayers (or think them) while simply looking at the foods. In fact, the Talmud (Horayot, 12a) says that one should “see” these food items on Rosh Hashanah.
- Chabad custom is not to recite these prayers with the exception of the yehi ratzon on the apple. (It would seem, though, that one should have these intentions “in mind.”) (It is noteworthy that, although most of these foods are mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, it is not the widespread Chabad custom to be particular to have all of them.)
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